My advice is don't sell yourself short, I work on Harley's on the side and people bring me there bikes because they don't trust the local dealers to do a quality job. I do quality work so I should get the same pay the dealer does within reason which is only fair. I am not looking to make a living from it so if the work is there it's there if it is not oh well.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Making money with your garage
- Thread starter bmwpower
- Start date
Ugh, I hate detailing my car. Then again if I was getting paid to detail someone else's for a decent amount of money I would consider it, but then again people are filthy pigs and I don't know if I want to deal with their boogers and french fries.
Chris 50
Well-known member
I do hand painted pinstriping. When my new garage is finished, I'll actively seek out more work, but I've made a few bucks doing this as a side gig and hobby. I've thought about installing air ride systems for others too, but that definitely starts to get into liabilities.
sam 8
Well-known member
I seem to have some skill with automotive wiring and basic fabrication skills, I say this because after having helped a couple of friends build and finish out street rods, other people have approached me asking for help, or tried to hire me. I "work" darned slow, sometimes not at all for days on end due to disabilities, so it has never happened.
As a former cop, used to seeing the worst in people, I find myself reluctant to cross the line and turn something I enjoy doing into something I "do" for hire. I applaud the idea of making our space pay for itself, but even the simple act of renting out the space is opening some doors that require lots of thought.
As a former cop, used to seeing the worst in people, I find myself reluctant to cross the line and turn something I enjoy doing into something I "do" for hire. I applaud the idea of making our space pay for itself, but even the simple act of renting out the space is opening some doors that require lots of thought.
thefairlaneman
Banned
I tried small engine repair but folks dont want to pay more than 20 bucks for you to fix their mowers(dont care that the local shop wants 45/50 bucks an hour with a 35 doller minimum just to take it in) and its not worth my time. I considered putting on nitros kits but figured the first kid who killed himself using the nitros would leave ME open to a law suit so I decided not to. So now I just work on restoring my own stuff and draw my state retirement checkola........working on cars is a big NO NO.You do a small repair for someone and they then seem to think they can call you 24/7 for any problem they have and that dont pay you anything.
Last edited:
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
My advice is don't sell yourself short, I work on Harley's on the side and people bring me there bikes because they don't trust the local dealers to do a quality job. I do quality work so I should get the same pay the dealer does within reason which is only fair. I am not looking to make a living from it so if the work is there it's there if it is not oh well.
i do the same. just put on a set of intake seals on a big dog for $35 not bad for an hours work. usually people bring me the older stuff the dealers don't want to work on. shovels, pans, & ironheads.
Jackson Auto Wire Service
Member
- Joined
- May 7, 2008
- Messages
- 8
I started out doing the wiring aspect and repair of electrical systems, frankly because most builders don't want to hassle with it and most owners are afraid of it. The stigma is I seem to be sorta gifted in understanding of electrical stuff, that and I get really lucky. Not to mention I love doing it. My company has morphed more than once and that at first was to include troubleshooting on computer controlled hotrods, I get alot of those, some custom harnesses for stand alone systems for retrofitting.
Problems occured as the customers found I could and would do "other" work on the cars I had already wired or repaired. Morph number two after that..
Problems occured as the customers found I could and would do "other" work on the cars I had already wired or repaired. Morph number two after that..
Gabriel J
Well-known member
The money I make working on cars in my garage generally pays for upgrades to the garage. New tools, Parts for my own vehicles, etc. Sometimes I barter for services (electrical and plumbing, two things I prefer to have done up to code), even tattoos! I don't do it as a business, just when things come up.
There was a time when I worked on family and friends' cars for free or next to nothing. I wanted to be a good friend, and help people save money with my skill. But after laboring for days on end to build up a nice 4-wheeling jeep only to see it sold off due to "lack of interest" shortly after..I realized my time was worth a little more. Although I did accept $200 for the work, a shop would have easily charged 10 times that amount, and it would have taken 5 times as long.
Now when I am asked about a job, I will actually look up the cost at a dealer using OEM parts, then give them a quote that I know saves them money, and gives me the profit I feel is acceptable for the work.. People appreciate the savings, and I get to use the money to buy whatever I want, and my wife doesn't mind one bit. If I think it's too much of a liability, I just go with "better off taking it to the dealer" speech. Installing a clutch in a VW? Sure...Building a rear-end for $150? No thanks...try the dealer!
-Gabe
There was a time when I worked on family and friends' cars for free or next to nothing. I wanted to be a good friend, and help people save money with my skill. But after laboring for days on end to build up a nice 4-wheeling jeep only to see it sold off due to "lack of interest" shortly after..I realized my time was worth a little more. Although I did accept $200 for the work, a shop would have easily charged 10 times that amount, and it would have taken 5 times as long.
Now when I am asked about a job, I will actually look up the cost at a dealer using OEM parts, then give them a quote that I know saves them money, and gives me the profit I feel is acceptable for the work.. People appreciate the savings, and I get to use the money to buy whatever I want, and my wife doesn't mind one bit. If I think it's too much of a liability, I just go with "better off taking it to the dealer" speech. Installing a clutch in a VW? Sure...Building a rear-end for $150? No thanks...try the dealer!
-Gabe
chevytruck
Member
I work on snowmachines, dirtbikes, and ATV's in my garage. I always work on my friends stuff but usually its a Barter system for us. One friend has a backhoe and bobcat. I use it all summer and keep his stuff running for him. Works good for us both. Otherwise i charge everyone.
dcjredline
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2008
- Messages
- 109
I really enjoy doing doll up work, I have done it for a couple people in the 3 years I have had my garage. I think doll ups are prolly the best way to go if you like that kind of work. I am hoping to get s couple full dollups (Basically been doing scratch repairs here and there) this year and buy me a porter cable electric DA polisher.
Out of everything I see so far I think detailing and cleaning will be the safest to run, customer sees the results and should be good to go.
I can fab some performance parts or work on people's cars but there just isn't any protection (legally and financially) when something goes wrong.. I have helped friends and they would buy a meal or beer that's usually good enough.
Someone in my area has a business they will come to your house and work and install clear bra on your bumper and hood (big market for this for new sports or luxary car buyers who usually have money) $500 for 2-3 hours of work minus parts (the film) isn't bad. Similar can go for window tinting I suppose.
I can fab some performance parts or work on people's cars but there just isn't any protection (legally and financially) when something goes wrong.. I have helped friends and they would buy a meal or beer that's usually good enough.
Someone in my area has a business they will come to your house and work and install clear bra on your bumper and hood (big market for this for new sports or luxary car buyers who usually have money) $500 for 2-3 hours of work minus parts (the film) isn't bad. Similar can go for window tinting I suppose.
CRAZYASTRO
Well-known member
Similar can go for window tinting I suppose.
i wanted to suggest that as well. but, from what i recognized, it's hard to make money with windowtinting...
friends of mine which were stationed over here, made a lot of money with tint. but over in the states u can get ur car tinted too cheap at a fleamarket. in San Antonio they're charging 120 to 140 for a whole car.
they are using cheap film, i know... but people were waiting in line the whole day to get their cars done.
just what i recognized..
http://www.sherline.com/business.htm
It's a book i found a while ago. A nice read for some evenings.
Bottom line: Find yourself a small nice market and keep the good name.
It's a book i found a while ago. A nice read for some evenings.
Bottom line: Find yourself a small nice market and keep the good name.
rsanter
Well-known member
I have done side jobs out of my garage for years. it is not my intent to make money, just offset some of the costs of equipment , materials, and my playtime in general.
mostly I do some fabrication, machine work, welding, rust repairs...etc
I also do some engine and cylinder head building as I have the stuff to do it.
to answer another question, I do not charge my friends. I get more out of my friends by them returning the favor than I would by exchanging money with them. you start by doing small stuff for them and see what they will do for you. if they return the favor then you do more for them. if they do not return the favor then you just do not have the time....
also when I do work for a friend I expect that they will assist, I am not a shop for you to just drop it off and pick it up. even if you just hang out and hand me tools, I want you to help.
things I have done for friends....engine machine work, engine rebuilding (labor), general machine work, welding (including extensive restoration welding), suspecsion rebuilds, brakes...and the list goes on
you want to make money.., have you seen FLIP THAT HOUSE?
play flip that car...get a car that needs some work that is a bargain. do the work and sell the car for profit. I do not mean to get into a full resto but you can get a car that is not running, get it running and sell it. if you do that you are limited to the liability associated with selling a used car.
buy toolboxes and part them out. I did some of theis a few years back where I would buy a whole toolbox with tools and then sell off the pieces. that is harder to do not with EBAY now but there are still a few deals out there
bob
mostly I do some fabrication, machine work, welding, rust repairs...etc
I also do some engine and cylinder head building as I have the stuff to do it.
to answer another question, I do not charge my friends. I get more out of my friends by them returning the favor than I would by exchanging money with them. you start by doing small stuff for them and see what they will do for you. if they return the favor then you do more for them. if they do not return the favor then you just do not have the time....
also when I do work for a friend I expect that they will assist, I am not a shop for you to just drop it off and pick it up. even if you just hang out and hand me tools, I want you to help.
things I have done for friends....engine machine work, engine rebuilding (labor), general machine work, welding (including extensive restoration welding), suspecsion rebuilds, brakes...and the list goes on
you want to make money.., have you seen FLIP THAT HOUSE?
play flip that car...get a car that needs some work that is a bargain. do the work and sell the car for profit. I do not mean to get into a full resto but you can get a car that is not running, get it running and sell it. if you do that you are limited to the liability associated with selling a used car.
buy toolboxes and part them out. I did some of theis a few years back where I would buy a whole toolbox with tools and then sell off the pieces. that is harder to do not with EBAY now but there are still a few deals out there
bob